Glikeria Bogdanova-Chesnokova

Glikeriya Vasilyevna Bogdanova-Chesnokova (born 13 (26) May 1904 in Saint Petersburg 17 April 1983 in Leningrad) was a Soviet and Russian stage and film actress. People's Artist of the RSFSR (1970). Family and early life Bogdanova-Chesnokova's grandfather was a master inventor described as having "golden hands". In the mid 1800s, the railway to Vladivostok was being constructed through the Siberian village where the Bogdanov family lived. The chief foreman of the railroad construction told Bogdanova how much he admired his talent. The foreman suggested Bogdanova go to Saint Petersburg. Shortly after, Bogdanova moved with his family to the city. Bogdanova's inventions were soon compared with those of Ivan Kulibin (born Niznhy Novgorod 1735 1818). Bogdanov was welcomed into the city's mechanical workshops, and learned to operate trains. On 13 May 1904, Bogdanova-Chesnokova was born in Saint Petersburg. After the October Revolution, calendar dates were shifted forward by thirteen days, making her legal date of birth the twenty-sixth. Her childhood nickname was "Lika". The Bogdanov family lived in a cottage in Vyborg. Bogdanova-Chesnokova had a brother and a sister. Her mother owned a sewing workshop, and was said to be "a well-read, sophisticated, young woman of refined taste, having a great sense of fashion". Bogdanova-Chesnokova was a student with a good memory (per the Russian saying, "a memory from God"). She was a good linguist (learning Chinese) and a mimic. Her mother took her to the theatre and Bogdanova-Chesnokova participated in the school theatre group. In early World War I, aged twelve, Bogdanova-Chesnokova entertained wounded soldiers. Her repertoire included Siberian folk tunes and some less than proper short songs such as "The beautiful Catherine walked along the street" and "Mommy, mommy, what will I do?"